Owner's Manual Updatedhttps://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/06/owners-manual-u.html
Here is the latest owner's manual: ganalyst_owners_manual_v3.pdf<p>Here is the latest owner's manual: <a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/files/ganalyst_owners_manual_v3.pdf">ganalyst_owners_manual_v3.pdf</a></p>Palm Softwarebthamilton002007-06-26T07:26:32-04:00Production Software V2.0 Releasedhttps://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/06/production-soft.html
g-Analyst Production Software V2.0<p>Click here for the install package:
<a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/files/gAnalyst-Full-Install-V2.OS5.zip">gAnalyst-Full-Install-V2.OS5.zip</a>
This software will only work with production unit #'s beginning with &quot;gA.&quot;
</p>Palm Softwarebthamilton002007-06-22T07:59:34-04:00Hiding Your g-Analysthttps://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/hiding_your_gan.html
How to properly mount your g-Analyst<p>Hide it? Why should I hide it? It has a cool translucent case and all of those blinky leds. I love watching that thing! </p>
<p>One word: Accuracy </p>
<p>The easiest and most effective way to reduce variability and improve accuracy with your g-Analyst is to properly mount it.
Traditional accelerometer-based testing units have been mounted either on the dash of the vehicle or the windshield. Why? Convenience (not accuracy). </p><p>The user was required to interact with the test tool to operate it, so that's where it went.
The g-Analyst uses Bluetooth technology and can be mounted 'properly.' What is 'properly?' Take a look at this illustration below...</p>
<p>
<a href="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/18/vehicle_center_of_gravity.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=347,height=102,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="480" height="141" border="0" alt="Vehicle_center_of_gravity" title="Vehicle_center_of_gravity" src="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/images/2007/05/18/vehicle_center_of_gravity.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>As you can see, there can be significant rotation about the center of gravity. What this means is that the farther the g-Analyst is placed from the vehicle center of gravity, the more susceptible it is to measurement error due to centrifugal forces. In other words...less accurate.</p>
<p>Where should you <del>hide</del> mount your g-Analyst? We have found the center console of most vehicles to be ideal. Open the console and mount the g-Analyst to the bottom using Velcro, like this...</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/18/ga_in_center_console_w_imu.jpg"><img width="480" height="360" border="0" src="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/images/2007/05/18/ga_in_center_console_w_imu.jpg" title="Ga_in_center_console_w_imu" alt="Ga_in_center_console_w_imu" /></a> </p>
<p>Your testing variability and accuracy will be greatly improved.</p>
<p>(What's that 'thing' under the g-Analyst? I'll accept your guesses via email :-)&nbsp; )</p>bthamilton002007-05-18T09:46:16-04:00Don't Know Squat???https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/dont_know_squat.html
Vehicle squat correction<p>I'm going to keep this real simple. However, if you want to dive into the details, I can't think of a better place to start than here: <a href="http://www.millikenresearch.com/books.html">Milliken Research Books</a>.</p>
<p>Squat occurs when the weight of an accelerating vehicle in transferred from front to back. Why do we care? Because uncorrected squat can make accelerometer-based testing tools less accurate.</p>
<p>Like any vehicle dynamics problem, squat can be estimated mathematically. You wanna try this on your vehicle? Thought so. If you don't want to break-out the calculator, what can you do...</p><p><u>Quick (lazy) Rule-of-Thumb Way: pick a fudge-factor!</u></p>
<p>The rule-of-thumb states that squat can be approximated by (x)degrees of squat per (1)-g of forward acceleration. Most guides suggest a factor of 2-degrees/g. What's the number for your vehicle? I don't know. You probably don't know either.</p>
<p>So how do you find it? Empirically (a fancy name for testing). Other companies that manufacture accelerometer-based test systems recommend that you take your vehicle to a drag strip, do some tests, plug in the results, and viola! A fudge factor!</p>
<p>Great, or is it? What if the drag strip ran slightly uphill or downhill? What if you deep-staged? What if you want to test a different vehicle? You get the idea - fudge factors apply to very narrow situations.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p><u>The g-Analyst Way: Science!</u></p>
<p>The g-Analyst uses an algorithm to estimate the squat of your vehicle without fudge factors. How do we do this? It's a secret. But I'll show you graphically how it works.</p>
<p><a href="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/17/ganalyst_vehicle_squat_correction.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=547,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="480" height="328" border="0" alt="Ganalyst_vehicle_squat_correction" title="Ganalyst_vehicle_squat_correction" src="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/images/2007/05/17/ganalyst_vehicle_squat_correction.jpg" /></a></p>
<p>This graph represents a sweep of g's from 0 to 1.2 at five different degrees of squat. As you can see, the 2 deg/g line only tracks perfectly when the squat is 2 degrees. If the squat is more than 2 degrees, than the 2 deg/g estimate will overestimate the forward acceleration of the vehicle. Further, you can see that the g-Analyst tracks the actual vehicle acceleration nicely.</p>
<p>So what does this mean?</p>
<p>- The g-Analyst will give more accurate results</p>
<p>- No fudge factors to enter!</p>bthamilton002007-05-17T16:53:39-04:00Start_G, Start_Speed, Start_Distance, HELP!https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/start_g_start_s.html
Start_G, Start_Speed, Start_Distance: How are they used?<p>If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, then a flow chart should be good for at least 1,001. Here is how the Speed and Distance testing process works on the g-Analyst.</p>
<p><a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/11/speed_distance_testing_process.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=679,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="640" height="543" border="0" alt="Speed_distance_testing_process" title="Speed_distance_testing_process" src="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/images/2007/05/11/speed_distance_testing_process.jpg" /></a>
</p><p>As you can see, the first decision point is whether or not the current g-reading is greater than the Start_G setting. Why? Because of integration error.</p>
<p>The g-Analyst integrates acceleration to obtain velocity and integrates velocity to obtain distance. As with any process, there is some error involved. The velocity error is proportional to time. The distance error increases with time^2. To minimize this error, the g-Analyst waits until the vehicle begins to move (g-reading &gt; Start_G).</p>
<p>Where should Start_G be set? A good rule-of-thumb is to set Start_G at no more than 1/2*(vehicle max. acceleration). Lower is better, but not so low that the test 'triggers' before you start.</p>
<p>Example:</p>
<p>Standard Passenger Car: Start_G = 0.15g to 0.20g<br />Performance Passenger Car: Start_G = 0.20 to 0.30g</p>
<p>The next decision point allows you to tailor the timing of the test.</p>
<p>Start_Speed can be used for 'magazine tests,' where the value is typically 1 MPH.</p>
<p>Start_Distance can be used to replicate the 'roll-out' (distance between a vehicle's tires and the timing lights) at a drag strip.</p>
<p>Start_Speed and Start_Distance are not usually used together.</p>bthamilton002007-05-14T09:12:39-04:00Testing 101https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/testing_101.html
Vehicle Testing 101<p><a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/09/speed6_on_side_of_road_2.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=640,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img alt="Speed6_on_side_of_road_2" title="Speed6_on_side_of_road_2" src="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/images/2007/05/09/speed6_on_side_of_road_2.jpg" width="100" height="75" border="0" /></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><u>Step 1: Find a road to test on</u></p>
<p>OK, this seems pretty obvious, but maybe not. The road surface that you test on is very important. Here are some things to look for:</p>
<p>- Safety is #1. A closed course is best. Avoid roads with entrances such as driveways, on-ramps, intersections, etc.<br />
- Flat is best, but gently rolling, or gently slopped will do in a pinch.<br />
- Pay attention to the surface conditions. Potholes and washboard are not your friends.<br />
</p>
<p><u>Step 2: Get a buddy</u></p>
<p>You need to drive - period. Fumbling with test equipment <u>and</u> driving is best left to professionals on a closed course.<br />
</p>
<p><u>Step 3: Be consistent with your launch</u></p>
<p>Your goal is to launch <u>exactly</u> the same way every time. If you have an automatic, brake-torque and step-off at the same RPM. If you have a manual, dump the clutch at the same RPM. The more variables that you can hold constant, the more accurate your results will be.</p><p><u>Step 4: Test notes are your friend</u></p>
<p>Test notes are saved with every run that you do. The more information you put in them, the better. Some examples are: the name of the road or course you tested on, the direction you were traveling, where you started, the temperature and humidity, <del>what you had for lunch,</del> the fuel gage level, etc. Forgot something? Just open up the test file and edit the notes - simple.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/09/vehicle_info_3.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=320,height=480,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img alt="Vehicle_info_3" title="Vehicle_info_3" src="https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/images/2007/05/09/vehicle_info_3.jpg" width="100" height="150" border="0" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Step 5: Average, average, average</u></p>
<p>Yeah, I know. You popped-off the first run and it was brilliant - high fives and big grins! Are we done...? Not quite. Remember Step 1? Well I bet that road isn't as flat as you think. For consistency, you should do multiple runs in <u>both</u> directions on the road. So when you end the first run, turn around and do the second. Repeat until you have a good number of runs. We usually shoot for at least six when doing validation work. <br />
</p>
<p><u>Step 6: Data analysis</u></p>
<p>We'll cover this one in a separate post.</p>bthamilton002007-05-09T10:19:54-04:00Owner's Manualhttps://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/owners_manual.html
A link to the Owner's Manual: g-Analyst_owners_manual_v2.pdf.<p>A link to the Owner's Manual: <a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/files/ganalyst_owners_manual_v2.pdf">g-Analyst_owners_manual_v2.pdf</a>.<br /></p>Palm Softwarebthamilton002007-05-07T10:04:35-04:00An Oldie but a Goodiehttps://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/an_oldie_but_a_.html
<p><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OWzCK6Qip08"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OWzCK6Qip08" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></p>bthamilton002007-05-03T15:27:01-04:00About Ushttps://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/about_us.html
Brennan Hamilton Hamilton Performance Electronics PO Box 1265 Birmingham, MI 48012 Ph: (248) 232-3078 Fax: (248) 341-3515 brennan@pdyno.com The g-Analyst is a product of: Valentine Research 10280 Alliance Rd Cincinnati, OH 45242 Valentine Research<p>Brennan Hamilton<br />Hamilton Performance Electronics<br />PO Box 1265<br />Birmingham, MI&nbsp; 48012</p>
<p>Ph:&nbsp; &nbsp;(248) 232-3078<br />Fax: (248) 341-3515</p>
<p><a href="mailto:brennan@pdyno.com">brennan@pdyno.com</a> </p>
<p>The g-Analyst is a product of:</p>
<p>Valentine Research<br />10280 Alliance Rd<br />Cincinnati, OH&nbsp; 45242</p>
<p><a href="http://www.valentine1.com">Valentine Research</a> </p>
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/mYCJDRlo6fw"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/mYCJDRlo6fw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>bthamilton002007-05-03T13:49:42-04:00Production Software Available!https://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/2007/05/production_soft.html
Click here if you are upgrading software: gAnalyst-Upgrade_Production_05032007.prc Click here if this is a first-time install: gAnalyst-Full-Install_Production_05032007.OS5.prc This software will only work with production unit #'s beginning with "gA."<p>Click here if you are upgrading software:<br /><a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/files/gAnalyst-Upgrade_Production_05032007.prc">gAnalyst-Upgrade_Production_05032007.prc</a>
</p>
<p>Click here if this is a first-time install:<br /><a href="http://mrganalyst.typepad.com/mr_ganalyst/files/gAnalyst-Full-Install_Production_05032007.OS5.prc">gAnalyst-Full-Install_Production_05032007.OS5.prc</a>
</p>
<p>This software will only work with production unit #'s beginning with &quot;gA.&quot;</p>Palm Softwarebthamilton002007-05-03T11:08:13-04:00